White Sand Star - Bad or Strang signs

[cwatkins]

Originally Posted by naesco

Your white sand star was doomed the minute it was removed from the ocean. It very quickly ate all the good stuff in your sandbed and there is nothing left for it an the others critters that depend on the little critters in the sand.
Carefully remove the star and return it to the LFS you bought it from and get a credit and politely let them know that they should not be importing critters that have very litte chance of success in reefers tanks.

Naesco, were you in the mood for some trolling ?

I've had this sand star for a year and he's been fine up until now. I've recently added 5 Tonga Nassarius snails. It's a 90G so I find it hard to believe that they're out-competing with the sand star.

Should I move either the star to the DSB in the sump or should I move some snails down there. It wouldn't hurt to have some life down there. The DSB is only two months old, so would it be populated with enough life yet for these guys to survive?

Thanks.

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

I've had a sand star in my 210g for over 3 years no problem. I added it after a few months of the tank being set up, to give the sandbed time to collect stuff for it to eat.

[whatcaneyedo]

Mine starved to death after about a year in my 120gal with a 1-2" sandbed in the same way that you're describing. So did a blue linka starfish so I wont be buying anymore. The only ones I've seen in person to live long are the two or three that a friend has had in his 500gal for the past three years.